South Pacific

South Pacific is a 1949 musical composed by Richard Rodgers (1902-1979)[1], with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II (1895-1960)[2] and book by Hammerstein and Joshua Logan (1908–1988)[3].

The original text

The story is based on James A. Michener's Pulitzer Prize-winning 1947 book Tales of the South Pacific, combining elements of several of the stories. The work premiered in 1949 on Broadway and was an immediate hit, running for 1,925 performances.

Translations and adaptations

The musical was twice filmed, in 1958 as a feature film (directed by Joshua Logan, with Rossano Brazzi, Mitzi Gaynor[4] and in 2001 as a television film, directed by Richard Pearce, with Glenn Close, Harry Connick Jr., Rade Šerbedžijaby and others.[5]

Performance history in South Africa

1968: Presented by the Eoan Group in 1968 under the direction of David Bloomberg starring Vera Gow, Benjamin Arendse and others at the Alhambra Theatre. Musical director Joseph Manca. Decor by Keith Anderson, choreography by Audrey Turner, costumes by Carmen Sydow.

1969: Staged at the Civic Theatre by Brickhill-Burke for JODS in 1969. It starred Inia Te Wiata, June Hern, Jean Dell and James White. Set and costume designs by Keith Anderson.

1973 and 1989: Staged by the Port Elizabeth Gilbert & Sullivan Society in 1973 and 1989.

1980: Presented by CAPAB Music opening 18 October 1980 in the Nico Malan Opera House directed and staged by Angelo Gobbato, musical direction by Graham Scott, choreography by Audrey Turner, decor and costumes by Bruno Santini, lighting by John T. Baker. The cast included Lawrence Folley, Miranda Kark, De Wet van Rooyen, Bill Jervis, Sharon Lynne, Graham Clarke, Evelyn Dalberg, Gloria Arendz, Victoria Holloway, Gabriella Patta, Marvin Smith, Leonard Worthington-Smith, Trevor Pretorius, Jeff Weiner, Joey Wishnia, Tony Hanson, Ben Illemann, Blaise Koch, Nigel Daly, Nick Jourdan, Eddie Shearon, Roger David, Kobus Kleynhans, Glen Shelton, Richard Bedford, Mario Lucangioli, Colin Pratley, Philip Swales, Cedric Adamson, Liz Dick, Martine Saffery, Judith Krummeck, Debbie Day, Pat Rogers, Vicki Edwards, Laura Folley, Giselle Desjardin, Heather Earp-Jones, Cynthia Nixon, Tony Mark, Diane Grebe, Sharon Braby Renee Rivaland, Colin Pratley, Charmaine Arendse, John Arendse, Gail Bruckner, Belita Daniels, Patti Manual, Glynis Pillay, Marz Roscoe and Desiree Williams.

1998: Staged by the Cape Town Gilbert and Sullivan Society in 1998.

Sources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Pacific_%28musical%29

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Rodgers

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oscar_Hammerstein_II

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua_Logan

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Pacific_(1958_film)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Pacific_(2001_film)

South Pacific theatre programme, Eoan Group, 1968.

South Pacific theatre programme, CAPAB, 1980.

Correspondence with Rose Cowpar, member of the Port Elizabeth Gilbert and Sullivan Society's Executive Committee, October 2014.

The Cape Town Gilbert and Sullivan Society's website [6]

Go to ESAT Bibliography

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